New York Giants GM Dave Gettleman has been no stranger to criticism lately. Recently he hit back at the media, defending his resume.
Dave Gettleman certainly has some New York in him. He may dress like a man from the midwest who has stock in sweater vests, but he can dish it as much as he can take it.
In an interview with Scott Politi of NJ.com, Gettleman fought back in defense of his extensive NFL resume.
“I’ve been to seven Super Bowls,” he said. “I feel very strongly that I know what it should look like, what it should smell like, what it should taste like. And, so, you can look at me and say, well, I either know what I’m doing or I’m a big fat rabbit’s foot. Neither one’s bad, right? I like my resume so far.”
In terms of what it should “look like,” Gettleman is referring to the Giants locker room and culture. The Giants GM believes that he has fixed that, at least for now, by trading away star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. less than a year after signing him to a five-year $95 million deal.
The Politi interview also shows us that Gettleman is steadfast in his beliefs/philosophy.
Influenced by men like Ernie Accorsi, Bill Polian and Bill Parcells, Gettleman is determined to build a team and not just a collection of talent. And if anyone disagrees with his approach, he’s not shy about telling them to kick rocks.
“What I find interesting, there are people reporting and making judgments on what I do and how I do my job who don’t know the game, who have never been involved with a team, and have just been on the outside looking in,” Gettleman said. “That’s not your fault, by the way. It’s just the way it is. But the problem is, to me, is when a reporter makes a judgment and doesn’t have all the information. That’s a thing I just shake my head at.”
Gettleman may take issue with the media’s coverage of his tenure, but fans have taken issue with some of his personnel moves.
The OBJ trade may work out for the Giants, but losing All-pro safety Landon Collins for nada did not help him gain any trust from the fanbase. His undying faith in veteran quarterback Eli Manning is another area that leaves fans shaking their heads.
But everyone loves a comeback story, right?
There is certainly time to right the ship. The Giants have a bevy of picks at their disposal ahead of Thursday’s draft, and Gettleman must use his experience as a scout and pro personnel director to grab at least two to three playmakers on either side of the ball.
If Dave Gettleman can do this and bring the New York Giants back to the playoffs, his resume won’t be questioned anymore.
